Celebrate Kentucky Derby in style with these drinks

Big hats. Bourbon. Fast horses. For most Americans, those seemingly disparate elements merge together seamlessly once a year during the running of the Kentucky Derby. But for many in the South, those elements are part of everyday life. Bourbon, especially.

In these parts you don’t need a horse race to enjoy bourbon and bourbon cocktails. But we have to tip our hat to the 139th Run for the Roses on May 4: it certainly has us thinking of something good to drink. Here are some ideas to get you in the Derby mood:

Stiff Stuff: Bourbon lovers will want to know about the recent introduction of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, a 110-proof, non-chill filtered bourbon from America’s famed Wild Turkey bourbon family (it’s made by master distiller Jimmy Russell and his son, Eddie). Matured in charred American white oak barrels, the bourbon boasts an intense vanilla nose with hints of burnt orange and flavors of creamy toffee and anise seed. It sports a long finish – perfect for such a fast race; $49.99.

Race Day: Mint Juleps are the drink of choice for the “greatest two minutes in sports.” But if you’re looking for a bourbon drink that changes up the julep dynamic a bit, try master mixologist Dale DeGroff’s tasty Whiskey Smash made with an iconic, go-to bourbon, Maker’s Mark:

Whiskey Smash

2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon

4 mint leaves

¾ lemon

1 part simple syrup

Lemon wheel, for garnish

Sprig of mint, for garnish

Muddle all ingredients except Maker’s Mark Bourbon in a bar glass. Add Maker’s Mark Bourbon, and shake with ice. Strain into an ice filled rocks glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon wheel.

Julep, Rejiggered: It is estimated that 120,000 Mint Juleps will be served over the course of the two-day Kentucky Derby/Oaks at Churchill Downs. While bourbon is the hooch of choice, not all Derby drinks are created equally. Bulleit Rye makes a mean Julep. But if you want a true bourbon experience, reach for Bulleit Bourbon, deeply rooted in Kentucky spirits heritage. Bulleit gave us recipes for both its bourbon and rye:

The Ginger Julep ’68 Fastback

1 ½ ounces Bulleit Bourbon

½ ounce organic brown sugar

¼ ounce peeled minced fresh ginger

1 ½ ounces soda water

1 lemon or lime twist

Muddle the ginger and brown sugar together until all of the sugar is moistened and nearly dissolved. Add a dash of soda to finish dissolving the sugar, stir in bourbon. Finish with ice and soda to taste and add lemon or lime twist.

Derby Daring: Race fans know the danger and daring involved in any horse race, especially one as high stakes as the Kentucky Derby. Perhaps its best to steady your pre-race nerves with an atypical Blood & Sand, a perfect addition to your Derby cocktail menu:

Blood & Sand

1 ounce Kentucky whiskey

1 ounce Martini Rosso sweet vermouth

1 ounce blood orange juice

½ ounce Cherry Heering

Shake all ingredients over ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Flame an orange and twist over glass.